Youth Drug Overdose in CT – Association with Fatal Suicidal Intentionality

Our December 2025 Clinical Grand Rounds will be on "Youth Drug Overdose in CT – Association with Fatal Suicidal Intentionality" and will be presented by Yifrah Kaminer MD, MBA. These presentations are free and open to the public ($10 if requiring CEUs, free CEUs for Root staff). This presentation is 1.5 CEUs.

Yifrah is a Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry & Pediatrics at University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Synopsis and Objectives:

• Review the scope of fatal drug overdose and suicide among youth-emerging adults in the U.S. & CT
• Examine the desire and intent to die by drug overdose among young adults with opioid use disorders.
• Address potential predictors/markers and discuss measures for reducing (fatal) drug overdose among young people.

Questions:

1. What is the most frequent age range for Drug OD

1. 20-29 years
2. 30-39
3. 40-49
4. 50-59
5. 60-69

1. What factors contribute to increased likelihood for drug OD

1. Depression /loneliness
2. Not being involved in drug problems treatment
3. Being a male
4. Previous episode of drug OD
5. All of the above

1. What is the likelihood of who might administer Naloxone for suspected drug OD 

1. Bystanders
2. Relative/friend
3. Mobile emergency service
4. Police
5. Hospital clinic/ER

1. What is the estimated likelihood of suicidal intent of drug OD in youth (up to age 26 years)

1. 40-50%
2. 0%
3. It has not been confirmed by studies, it is just a speculation
4. 10-20%
5. In most drug OD events there was a suicide intent